Lyricist & Songwriter

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I wrote a song called 'Smile' after travelling in Africa. It was deeply personal; sparse and quite beautiful. It evolved over a number of months until it featured a full band and choir at the end. Thankfully much of the recording process was filmed and I was able to put together a music video to accompany the song. I've picked this song above all others because not only did I write and perform the song, but then conducted the choir and mixed / produced before helping with the video. Seeing that all come together was a proud moment.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm writing English lyrics for a French record label based in Paris. A talented team but always open to suggestions which makes for a very healthy working relationship.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Jack R Hardman is a talented composer and producer - we've often worked together over the years and I regularly come back to him for his fresh ideas and musicality.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital generally. For someone who is on the move a lot, recording and mixing 'in the box' makes life a lot easier, and if you spend wisely on some decent plug-ins there's no excuse not to sound good now.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that my working week can be a real mixed bag and that depending on what I'm working on, I can have lyric, composition or production jobs on the go - all at the same time! My first love as a teenager was guitar but even when most of my work is writing or lyrics, I try to play some guitar every day just to keep sharp - just in case I get booked to play or write some guitar!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: More often than not, people's biggest concerns are time frame and cost. If those two things are met then generally people are happy to proceed. With the internet and word of mouth, people often have a good idea of your credentials even before they've contacted you.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Pen &paper. My Crafter acoustic guitar. My ukulele in case I get any unexpected visitors. A solar powered vinyl player with a copy of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds for me to transcribe and listen to.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started off as a freelance guitarist after graduating from music college in London, 2002. Since then I've been in a successful original band, taught, and recorded many sessions. Through working with a range of talented producers and artists I became more and more interested in production and writing; and over a 17 year period working with clients in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia I started to specialise in lyric writing and vocal arrangement. As well as English, I speak French fluently and study Spanish, Italian and Portuguese so enjoy working with overseas clients.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Pop, Soul and an increasing amount of Hip-Hop. Occasionally classical actually (which I always enjoy) and a lot of acoustic stuff.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Much of my work is lyric based so I'd say that, though I'm a musician first and foremost - I love and absorb music, and that informs all decisions I make, whatever the style of the project. I know my music history - the real players, movers and shakers. Leave no stone unturned.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: An arranger's ear - a sense of growth and development from start to finish, whether that's in the story it tells or the textures it moves through as it builds and evolves. If I'm writing the lyrics, I like to think I have a knack of enhancing that story through the relationship between the words and melody. Sad words can sound REALLY sad with the right melody.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'm quite studious and am happy to put the background work in first, so that once the job starts it runs smoothly. If I'm writing words I like to sit in the sun, sketch something out and then move onto the piano to fix the melody. If I'm putting together a vocal arrangement I'll sit at the piano with manuscript paper and literally sketch it out before moving onto Logic.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's simple but comfortable and effective. It's a nice space with quality components. Good mics, top guitars and a piano. Two MacBook Pros with NI plug-ins - all run through nice warm Focusrite preamps or an Apollo soundcard. There's often a coffee on the go!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That writing simple lyrics is a simple process. It's not! Writing a killer line for a house track for example - saying something cool in only a few words is sometimes more difficult than telling a full story with multiple verses and choruses!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm fascinated by harmony and I love the sound of blended voices, so much of what I do ends up with a nice vocal arrangement. As a composer/lyricist I aim to write music with colour and texture, and an arrangement that evolves and breathes. The music should enhance the message of the words.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Those who even after achieving success, continue to evolve, become better musicians and extend their boundaries. Miles Davis had the musicality and artistry, but was also always one step ahead of the pack. They get stick from certain quarters, but every single Coldplay album has had a different sound to its predecessor, and I like that desire to evolve.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: 1. Speak to a few people to get a feel for the person you're working with. 2. Call me!

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: A mixed bag! Mostly composing lyrics and vocal arrangements but I still get a bit of session guitar work and mixing /producing are all common. Still a lot of live work as well - it keeps you true!

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Putting your hard work in the hands of a stranger can be difficult. You've taken it so far and then you have to relinquish control right near the end. I know how that feels, so I promise to make that process as stress-free as possible, and devote as much care and attention to your art as you feel it deserves.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are their expectations I guess. It's usually a fairly natural conversation once you're both singing from the same page.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Dead - Claude Debussy. I don't think anyone has ever had such an individual and important philosophy towards composition and music. He had no boundaries. Alive - Jimmy Page. Led Zeppelin's records sound as fresh and vibrant today as they did the day they were recorded. How did he do that?!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: From a mixing point of view, take the time to learn the audio spectrum - what different frequencies sound like on different instruments. It makes cleaning up (or dirtying up) a mix a lot less stressful and more enjoyable. Your EQ is your most important tool.